Chemical Reduction

Chemical reduction is similar to chemical oxidation except that reducing reactions are involved. Commonly used reductants are sulfur dioxide and its sodium salts, such as sulfite, bisulfite, and metabisulfite. Ferrous iron salts are infrequently used. Typical examples are the reduction of hexavalent chromium, dechlorination, and deoxygena-tion.

Figure 7.42.7 is a schematic diagram of a typical system for the reduction of highly toxic hexavalent chromium to the innocuous trivalent form according to the following reaction: